Glossary of Boy's Lacrosse Terms

Personal Fouls

Slashing: Occurs when a player's stick viciously contacts an opponent in any area other than the stick or gloved hand on the stick.

Tripping: Occurs when a player obstructs his opponent at or below the waist with the crosse, hands, arms, feet or legs.

Unsportsmanlike Conduct: Occurs when any player or coach commits an act which is considered unsportsmanlike by an official, including taunting, arguing, or obscene language or gestures.

Unnecessary Roughness: Occurs when a player strikes an opponent with his stick or body

Body Checking: Occurs when a player forces his body into another player to gain an advantage.

Crosse Checking: The act of attempting to dislodge the ball from an opponent's stick.

Technical Fouls

Holding: Occurs when a player impedes the movement of an opponent or an opponent's crosse.
Interference: Occurs when a player interferes in any manner with the free movement of an opponent, except when that opponent has possession of the ball, the ball is in flight and within five yards of the player, or both players are within five yards of a loose ball.
Offsides: Occurs when a team does not have the minimum players on its defensive side of the midfield line or at minimum on its offensive side of the midfield line.
Pushing: Occurs when a player thrusts or shoves a player from behind.
Screening: Occurs when an offensive player moves into and makes contact with a defensive player with the purpose of blocking him from the man he is defending.
Stalling: Occurs when a team intentionally holds the ball, without conducting normal offensive play, with the intent of running time off the clock.
Warding Off: Occurs when a player in possession of the ball uses his free hand or arm to hold, push or control the direction of an opponent's stick check.

 

Skills

Catching: The act of receiving a passed ball with the crosse.
Cradling: The coordinated motion of the arms and wrists that keeps the ball secure in the pocket and ready to be passed or shot when running.
Cutting: A movement by an offensive player without the ball, toward the opponent's goal, in anticipation of a feed and shot.
Feeding: Passing the ball to a teammate who is in position for a shot on goal.
Passing: The act of throwing the ball to a teammate with the crosse.
Scooping: The act of picking up a loose ball with the crosse.
Screening: An offensive tactic in which a player near the crease positions himself so as to block the goalkeeper's view of the ball.
Shooting: The act of throwing the ball with the crosse toward the goal in an attempt to score.
 

Terms

Clearing: Running or passing the ball from the defensive half of the field to the attack goal area.
Crease: A circle around the goal with a radius of nine feet into which only defensive players may enter.
Crosse (Stick): The equipment used to throw, catch and carry the ball.
Defensive Clearing Area: The area defined by a line drawn sideline to sideline from the face of the goal. Once the defensive team gains possession of the ball in this area, it has ten seconds to move the ball across the midfield line.
Fast-Break: A transition scoring opportunity in which the offense has at least a one-man advantage.
Ground Ball: A loose ball on the playing field.
Handle (Shaft): An aluminum, wooden or composite pole connected to the head of the crosse.
Head: The plastic or wood part of the stick connected to the handle.
Man Down Defense (MDD): The situation that results from a time-serving penalty which causes the defense to play with at least a one man disadvantage.
Midfield Line: The line which bisects the field of play.
On-The-Fly Substitution: A substitution made during play.
Pick: An offensive maneuver in which a stationary player attempts to block the path of a defender guarding another offensive player.

Pitch: The field of play

Pocket: The strung part of the head of the stick which holds the ball.
Rake: A face-off move in which a player sweeps the ball to the side.
Riding: The act of trying to prevent a team from clearing the ball.
Release: The term used by an official to notify a penalized player in the box that he may re-enter the game.
Unsettled Situation: Any situation in which the defense is not positioned correctly, usually due to a loose ball or broken clear.